9 true crime documentaries coming to streaming services this October
The true crime genre has soared in popularity in recent years, and production isn’t slowing down any time soon. Podcasts like “Crime Junkie” and “Morbid” remain high on Spotify’s charts, and streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime continue to produce their own movies and series based on real-life crimes.
While there are definite issues with the genre, including the potential exploitation of victims and glorification of criminals, it can also bring awareness to unsolved cases and issues pervading our society.
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If you’re into true crime, here are some of the true crime documentaries and docuseries premiering on streaming services this month.
New true crime streaming October 2023
1. ‘Hostage 911’
Where to watch: Max.
Release date: Oct. 3.
Each episode of this show centers around a real hostage situation and the ensuing standoff between criminals and law enforcement. Audio and video from those crimes take center stage while negotiators explain the psychology behind their conversations with criminals.
2. ‘Last Stop Larrimah’
Where to watch: Max.
Release date: Oct. 8.
The Australian Outback town of Larrimah was home to 11 residents until one vanished in 2017. This docuseries explores the life of missing Paddy Moriarty and examines the other 10 residents of the town in an attempt to hypothesize what happened to Moriarty.
3. ‘The Matthew Shepard Story: An American Hate Crime’
Where to watch: Max.
Release date: Oct. 9.
In 1998, a young college student was found brutally beaten and tied to a fence and died from his injuries several days later. The men convicted of murdering him admitted they targeted Shepard because of his sexual orientation. While Shepard’s case was solved, it sparked a national conversation about hate crimes that continues to this day.
4. ‘No Accident’
Where to watch: Max.
Release date: Oct. 10.
This documentary covers the civil lawsuit filed in response to the deadly “Unite the Right” rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. According to HBO, “‘No Accident’ chronicles this seminal civil rights trial, exposing a broad network of conspirators and detailing the challenges of holding those leaders and organizations liable for their actions.”
5. ‘Painkiller: The Tylenol Murders’
Where to watch: Paramount+.
Release date: Oct. 10.
In 1982, seven people died after taking Tylenol that had been laced with cyanide. Although the crime has never been solved, this docuseries examines one suspect in particular and addresses the mishaps in law enforcement’s investigation.
6. ‘The Devil on Trial’
Where to watch: Netflix.
Release date: Oct. 17.
Arne Cheyenne Johnson killed his landlord, Alan Bono, in 1981. Johnson admitted to the murder, but alleged he had been the victim of demonic possession. Netflix’s documentary combines reenactments with home videos to paint a picture of the dark event and the trial that followed.
7. ‘Get Gotti’
Where to watch: Netflix.
Release date: Oct. 24.
This docuseries tells the story of the FBI’s investigation of infamous crime boss John Gotti. The series uses sources from both law enforcement and the Gambino crime family, which Gotti led, to explore Gotti’s life and crimes.
8. ‘Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder’
Where to watch: Peacock.
Release date: Oct. 24.
The Hare Krishna movement was born out of spirituality and peace, but after the man who brought it to America died, it took an unfortunate turn. Keith Ham (also known as Kirtanananda Swami), a religious leader who took control of the group, was expelled by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness when he was accused of racketeering and conspiracy to murder. This miniseries examines the case and addresses larger issues of charisma and corruption in American religious movements.
9. ‘The Girl Who Killed Her Parents — The Confession’
Where to watch: Amazon Prime.
Release date: Oct. 27.
Suzane von Richtofen was convicted of killing her parents in 2002. This documentary focuses on what Suzane and her accomplices — her boyfriend, Daniel, and his brother, Cristian — did in the days after the murder and how police were able to uncover the truth.
